Aotearoa Earthquake and Volcano Forecast Service

Aotearoa Summary. 24 December 2020 - 28 December 2020

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Ruapehu was unstable during the period, the crater lake cooled to 41C but a shallow quake at the crater followed by increasing tremor indicates more action may follow.
Quakes were subdued as they tend to be during volcanic periods (and vice versa).
Biggest quake Upper Takaka 4.6 came after the peak but gave reasonable location success from a small number of risk locations.
Mag 5 risk location Fiordland was quiet.
25 December.
South of Kermadecs 5.1 9.05am
Kaikoura 3.8 5.18am
26 December.
Ruapehu Crater Lake 2.2
Upper Takaka 4.6 11.05am
28 December.
180km NE of East Cape 4.2 3.11am

Update. 25 December 10.00am
25 December.
South of Kermadecs 5.1 9.05am
Kaikoura 3.8 5.18am
The expected arrival of strong spaceweather hasn't happened although weak conditions are present.
Quakes have slowed down.
Quakes are likely to become less frequent on 25-26 December.
No announcements from the vulcanologists about Ruapehu.
The forecasters are making a field trip to Ruapehu next few days.
The forecast is unlikely to be updated.
New spaceweather is due late 29 December.

Forecast. 24-25 December 2020.
Magnitude 5 risk locations are Snares Islands, Southern Fiordland.
Magnitude 4 risk locations are Upper Waitaha, Rolleston, Cashmere, Sumner, Lyttelton, Murchison, St Arnaud, Tapawera, Mt Arthur, Tokomaru Bay.
Ruapehu degassing or steam eruption.
The forecast period may be extended.